Ilaiyaraaja’s Copyright Battle: From Coolie to Manjummel Boys

Renowned music composer Ilaiyaraaja contends that the Malayalam blockbuster movie Manjummel Boys utilized his composition song ‘Kanmani’ without obtaining the necessary permissions. As of now, the Manjummel Boys team has yet to respond to these claims.

This incident adds to the ongoing saga surrounding Ilaiyaraaja’s pursuit of copyright enforcement, particularly against contemporary filmmakers who, according to him, often neglect royalty considerations.

This isn’t the first time Ilaiyaraaja has taken legal action against film producers for unauthorized use of his work. He has previously sent notices to several productions, including Rajinikanth’s Coolie. Some of these cases have even reached the Madras High Court, where verdicts have been delivered, sparking widespread discussions within the industry.

However, a recent viral video featuring director Chidambaram claiming that he had secured permission from Sadaru Guna Audio Company to use the song during the production of Manjummel Boys adds a new layer of complexity to the situation. The outcome of this case remains uncertain as it continues to garner attention on social media platforms.